“Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service” Sunday, July 12, 2026 Program: 3:00 PM Pre-Event Luncheon: 12:30-2:30 PM There is no fee to attend the program or lunch. All are welcome. Attendance Capacity: 1,000 attendees
As the grand finale of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest in 2026, Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University hosted “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service,” featuring performances by the Winston-Salem State University Choir, The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, and a community choir comprised of Syracuse-area residents.
“Why have you traveled so far to be here? Why are you here?” Rev. Akhona Masiza asked the Hendricks Chapel Choir, local choirs and concert-goers at the Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. “The world is out of tune. And yet, I marvel at the sight in this room.”
And, it was truly marvelous. In May, over 50 members of the Hendricks Chapel Choir (HCC) visited South Africa, the choir’s first-ever visit to the African continent. The HCC performed six times in 11 days, from Johannesburg to Cape Town and several places in between.
Hendricks Chapel, the spiritual heart of Syracuse University, is the student-centered global home for religious, spiritual, moral and ethical life. Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, the chapel hosts 15 chaplains, more than 25 religious and spiritual groups, and sponsors over 2,000 programs for more than 1,000,000 annual attendees. Hendricks Chapel employs student workers, supports musical ensembles, offers support through the Student Opportunity Fund and Coach Mac Food Pantry and partners throughout the campus community to advance academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. As a central contributor to holistic life and learning at Syracuse University, Hendricks Chapel helps to prepare engaged citizens, scholars and leaders for participation in a changing global society. For more information, visit chapel.syracuse.edu.
During the annual Blessing of Students on May 3, 2026, Mian Hamid ’25, G’26, gave his own blessing to Hendricks Chapel. His heartfelt remarks resonated deeply with the audience, as they were filled with meaning and integrity. We invite you to read through this “love letter” and let it wash over you as students graduate and we move into summer’s beauty and fall’s bounty.
Here is Mian’s blessing:
Assalam Alaikum—may peace and blessings be upon you all—and good evening to our esteemed guests, graduating students, and dedicated staff.
As some of you may know, this moment is a little unique for me—I am graduating for the second time. Last year, I completed my undergraduate degree, and this year, my master’s. And I can say with full certainty that I would not be standing here today without the love, support, and community I found right here at Hendricks Chapel.
“I think the true blessing is when students like myself come here to Syracuse University and find out that they belong. To find a community of people who look like you, eat like you, and pray with you. But here at Hendricks Chapel, they took it a step further, to help us all feel just as much at home with people who look different to us, who speak a different language, who call out to God by another name,” said Sahana Anand, president of the Hindu Student Association at SU. “Whatever name we call him by, God brought us together here for a purpose, and it has been a privilege to walk this purpose with you all during my time here at Syracuse University. I really believe that gratitude can get you out of the darkest times and I would like to thank you all for giving us so much to be grateful for.”
“But here at Hendricks Chapel, they took it a step further, to help us all feel just as much at home with people who look different to us, who speak a different language, who call out to God by another name.” —Sahana Anand, president of the Hindu Student Association at SU
The Annual Blessing of Students at Hendricks Chapel is the kick-off for all commencement activities. Our many chaplains came together to bless our seniors with prayers and chants from their own faith traditions. Thanks to all who attended. It was a remarkable and memorable event.
On May 12, The Hendricks Chapel Choir of Syracuse University, a 50-person premier mixed ensemble, will arrive in South Africa. This tour marks the first trip to the African continent for the choir. In each city visited, the students will have the chance to perform and learn alongside local artists.
The choir’s appearances in South Africa will include an eclectic collection of music crafted for choir and organ, including compositions by Antonio Vivaldi, Cecilia McDowall, Paul Basler, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Jeffrey Ames and Hendricks Chapel Choir Director José “Peppie” Calvar. Additionally, the Hendricks Chapel Choir will perform arrangements of traditional South African tunes to honor their host country.
During Christian Holy Week, our chaplaincies hosted many events for students, staff/faculty and the broader community. Over 1,500 community members attended Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday services at Hendricks Chapel and the SU Catholic Center. Thank you to all who attended!
Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover, Eid, Diwali or Nirvana Day, Hendricks Chapel is the place for you! And now, everyone knows thanks to Fox Nation! Tania Joseph ’18, a producer at Fox, wrote to Hendricks Chapel last October to inquire about featuring Hendricks and Syracuse University in a new show hosted by Benjamin Hall entitled “America’s Churches.”
As a multifaith chapel that is home to 15 chaplains who cover six world religions, we feel grateful to be included in the series! The 25-minute show includes interviews, historical footage and a tour of the campus. The communications team at Hendricks Chapel would like to thank the entire crew from Fox and our central communications team for being such lovely partners.
Hall interviewed students from SU Catholic Center and Syracuse Hillel, our Sports Chaplain William Payne (Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Coach Fran Brown, Coach Felicia Legette-Jack, former dean Rev. Brian Konkol, and Chancellor Kent Syverud. An additional short video highlighting the new SU Catholic building is also offered on Fox Nation’s site!
A Malmgren Concert on March 29 will include the dedication of the newly installed organ and feature works by professors from the Setnor School of Music.
In a world increasingly shaped by both connection and division, a diverse group of students is embarking on a distinctive journey of leadership and learning. The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP), housed at Hendricks Chapel, represents a pioneering approach to preparing tomorrow’s leaders by combining religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.
